Harnessing pycnidia-forming fungi for eco-friendly nanoparticle production, applications, and limitations
Certain fungi called pycnidial fungi can create tiny particles called nanoparticles that are useful in medicine, agriculture, and environmental cleanup. These fungi naturally produce chemicals and enzymes that reduce metal ions into nanoparticles, which have antimicrobial and cancer-fighting properties. While this biological approach is more environmentally friendly than chemical methods, scientists still need to solve challenges like making it work at large scales and ensuring the nanoparticles are safe and stable.